Has anyone had a spect scan for neurological symptoms. I am desperate for answers and considering this for supposed cardiac symptoms caused by my brain. It is about 5000 and not covered by my insurance. Thanks
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I had one done many years ago. Very ill and yet the neurologist told me there was nothing wrong with Spect scan and to "get a life" and stop going to doctors.
Not sure the parameters for the test were set up to see as much as they might have. Fortunately, at that time I had insurance that paid but it was a waste partly in that later I learned I should have exercised for 2 days' prior.
This was before I was diagnosed with several tick-borne infections and a literal hole in my bone structure of the inner/middle ear that caused many of the issues but did not who on Spect (later required a special setting for a CT scan).
The things is that if you know you have lyme - it's just not at all a wise financial move to spend money (even the copay part) on a Spect scan if there is still work to do addressing the infection.
It likely will not tell you anything of worth especially if the doctor ordering it and the doctor reviewing it do not understand lyme, CFS, ME, etc.
Sure, it may show something that is not lyme related but they must know all about lyme to rule out / understand in the first place to interpret or to know to look separately from lyme, etc.
see the posts in Cardiac links below about the Nightingale Institute in Canada's Spect Scan on ME patients and the hypoperfusion that did show and might likely in your case and others with lyme.
You would have to set your body up with particular exercise for 2 days prior, though.
Again, though if your ordering and reviewing doctors are not really extremely - extremely - educated in the area of lyme, chronic stealth infections, hypoperfusion, autonomic & sympathetic nervous system issues, they will not know what to look for or how to interpret.
But - even if you have hypoperfusion (reduced blood supply to the brain) when lyme / other stealth infections are the cause -- then the infections must be adequately addressed.
Most with lyme probably have hypoperfusion, anyway - IMO and don't really need a $5000 brain scan to know it. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
See post re: hypo-perfusion & Spect scan study at Nightingale institute in Canada
For the ME population (myalgic encephalomyolitis (sp?)
The diagnosis of ME / CFS shares much with those who have lyme / tick-borne diseases. ME / CFS can be caused by lyme & TBD. -
Posted by bullmastiffluvr (Member # 50250) on :
Thank you Keebler I appreciate your input. I have only been battling this for 2 years. Even my llmd is not sure what is happening with the cardiac symptoms I am having.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :